Ribbon guiding, guarding, and shifting mechanism for type-writing machines.



"No. 723,884. PATBNTED MAR. 31, 1903.

c. F. LAGANKE & J. A. SMITH. RIBBON GUIDING, GUARDING, AND SHIFTINGMECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

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PATBNTED'MAR. 31, 1903., o. F. LAGANKE & J. A. SMITH.

1 RIB'BONGUIDING, GUARDING, AND SHIFTING MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITINGMACHINES.

I PATBNTED MAR. 31, 1903. c. F. LAGA'NKE &.J. A: SMITH.- RIBBON GUIDING,GUARDING, AND SHIFTING'MEGHANISM FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21, 1901. N0 MODEL. 8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21, 1901.

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No. 723,884. PATENTEDMAR. 31, 1903.

0. F. LAGANKB & J. A. SMITH. RIBBON GUIDING, GUARDING, AND SHIPTINGMECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES. "APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 21, 1901.

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lllnl u No. 723,884. 'PA'I'ENTBD MAR- 31, 1903. C. E. LAGANKE 8: J. A.SMITH. RIBBON GUIDING, GUARDING, AND SHIPTING MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITINGMACHINES.

APILIO ATION FILED JUNE 21, 1901.

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V G. F. LAGANKE & J. A. SMITH. RIBBON GUIDING, GUARDING, AND SHIFT'INGMECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

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- I PATENTED MAR.31,1903.. 0. P. LAGANKE & J.- A. SMITH. Y RIBBONGUIDING, GUARDING, AND SHIFTING MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED V 21 1901. 7 80 MODEL. JUNE B SHEETS-SHEET &.

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- UNITED STATES:

PATE T OFFICE.

CHARLES FREDERICK LAGANKE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, AND JOHN A. SMITH, OFATHENS, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNORS TO THE FISIIER BOOK TYPEWBITER COMPANY, OFCLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWVARE.

RIBBON GUIDING; GU ARDING, AND SHIFTING MECHANISM FOR TYPE-WRITINGMACHINES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 723,884, dated March 31,1903 Application-filed June 21, 1901. $eria1No. 65,496. (No model.)

To an whom it may concern: Be itknown that we, CHARLES FREDERICKLAGANKE, residing at Cl-eve1and,in the county of Cuyahoga and State ofOhio, and JOHN A.

5 SMITH, residing at Athens, in the county of McMinn and State ofTennessee, citizens of the United States, have invented a new and usefulRibbon Guiding, Guarding, and Shifting Mechanism for Type-WritingMachines,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in type-writing machines, butmore'particularly to ribbon guiding, guarding, and shifting mechanismtherefor. Y i

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable,inexpensive, and efficient construction of ribbon supporting and guidingmechanism for guiding and protecting theribbon passing between theribbon-spools anism being organized and arranged in a manner. topermitthe' ribbon to be shifted, laterally to present different tracksor stripes; thereof at the printing-point, so that as theribbon is fedlongitudinally the type will; strike along a ribbon stripe or trackconstituting one of a number which may be utilized by reason of thelateral shifting of the ribbon.

cilitate the use of the machine for printing in different colors byequipping said machine with a ribbon having stripes, bands, or tracks ofthe several colors desired or with a pl'u-' rality of different-coloredribbons, either of which stripes or. ribbons may be presented over theprinting-point by the shifting of the ribbon-spools and guiding-frame. I

A further object of the invention is to pro- 40 vide means for movingthe ribbon laterally to displace it'from the printing-point a suflicientdistance to expose the printing and to provide the machine with anautomaticallyoperated line finder or indicator arranged to be moved tothe printing-point to facilitate the positioning of: the printingmechanism whenever the ribb'onis moved out of its normalplane,theodisplacement of the ribbon and the movement ofthe line-finderto its inin close contiguity :to the platen, said mech-' A furtherobject of the invention is to fadicating position being simultaneouslyef- 5o fected by meausot' a single ribbon-shift key.

A still further object of the invention is to equip the type-writingmachine with a ribbon-indicator exposed adjacent to the keyboard toindicate which stripe 0r longitudimil track of the ribbon is presentedat the printing-point and to enable the operator to readily shift eitherof the other stripes or tracks of the ribbon to the printing-point,accordingly as it is desired to print in differ- 6o ent colors or toemploy an unused portion of the same-colored stripe for the succeedingprinting operation.

Further and subordinate objects of the invention will appear more fullyhereinafter as the necessity for their accomplishment is developed inthe succeeding description of that form of the invention which for thepurpose of this disclosure We have illustrated in the accompanying,drawings.

Insaid drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of a Fisher typewritingmachine equipped with the subject-matter of our present invention. Fig.2 isa rear elevation of the subject-matter of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an endelevation, partly in section, of the type-writ ing machine, showingthe,,ribbon-shift key depressed in dotted lines and the depressedposition of the ribbon and the indicating position of the line-finderlikewise being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig.3, but looking toward the opposite end of the machine. Fig. 5 is ahorizontal sectional view on the line'5 5 of Fig. 1, showing the ribbonsupporting and guiding mechan- 8 5 ism and the line-finder in 'plan.Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the type-writingmachine and the ribbon mechanism. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view ofone of the ribbon-guards detached. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view onthe line 8 8 of Fig.

6. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the ribbon-displacing andline-finder operating key and its connections and also theribbonindicator and the lateral ribbon-shift lever and stop. Fig. 10 isa detail perspective View tail perspective view of one of theribbonspools and the adjacent end of the ribbonguiding frame and aportion of one of the ribbon-guards. Fig. 12 is a detail sectional viewof one of the ribbon-spools, illustrating the construction and mountingthereof and the manner of attaching the ribbon-guiding frame thereto.Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation illustrating the mechanism employed tofeed a ribbon supported and guided in accordance with our invention.Fig. 1 1 is a detail sectional view illustrating one feature of themechanism shown in Fig. '13, and Fig. 15 is a detail perspective view ofone of the pawls which serve to connect the spool-shafts with theiroperating mechanism.

Like characters of reference are employed to designate correspondingparts throughout the views.

The ribbon supporting, guiding, and guarding mechanism and the mechanismemployed for shifting the ribbon laterally either to displace itentirely from its normal position or to present the various longitudinalstripes or tracks thereof to the types are susceptible of use inconnection with various kinds of typewriting machines; but for thepurpose of the present disclosure we have illustrated the invention inconnection with a machine of that type now in extensive use and knowncommercially as the Fisher type-writing machine. The subject-matter ofthis invention is designed with special reference to the equipment ofthe Fisher machine, which has come to be largely employed in commercialbilling, one of the requisites of which is the use of the usual debitand credit colors, black and red, for the entry of the debit and credititems.

In order to make the disclosure as comprehensive possible by showing acomplete ribbon-operating mechanism, we have illustrated in connectionwith the subject-matter of our invention the ribbon-feeding andfeedshifting mechanism invented by John A. Smith and describedandclaimed in his concurrent application, Serial No. 65,475.

The machine illustrated in the drawings involves in its generalorganization a carriagesupporting frame 1, disposed to travel upon themain tracks or guides 2 and provided with front and rear carriage-guides3 and 4, supporting the printing mechanism or carriage 5, which ismounted to travel in the direction of letter-spacing and is providedwith a pendent typc-har-supporting ring 5. The frame 1, variously calledthe traveling-machine frame or the carriage-supporting frame,is equippedwith ordinary line-spacing mechanism which is employed in the mannerwell understood in the art to advance the frame 1 in line-for-lineprogression over the flat platen, which characterizes machines of thetype illustrated. The carriage 5 is arranged to be drawn to the right,orin thedirection of letter-spacing, by suitable means (not illustrated)and is equipped, as shown, with escapement mechanism for effecting thestepby-step advance of the carriage in the man ner set forth in thepatent to R. J. Fisher, No. 573,868. This mechanism constitutes no partof the invention and is therefore omitted from the drawings. With thiscarriage-feeding mechanism for regulating the step-bystep feed of thecarriage in the direction of letter-spacing is combined acarriage-release mechanism, including a primary element or release-lever7, mounted within the carriagecasing, as shown in Fig. 4 of thedrawings,

and having operative connection with a release-key 8, by the depressionof which the carriage may be released to permit its free movement uponthe guides of the machineframe. The release-lever 7 and its key aredescribed in the Fisher patent aforesaid and are only shown because saidlever constitutes the operating member of ribbon release mechanismillustrated in the drawings for the purpose of completing the disclosureof an entirely operative construction, but constituting a featuredescribed and claimed in the aforesaid concurrent application of John A.Smith. From the bottom of the carriage, at the opposite ends thereof,depend suitable spool-shaft hangers 9, rotatably supporting a pair ofparallel spool-shafts 10 and 11, 1o-

cated slightly beyond the opposite ends of the carriage and serving tosupport the ribbons-pools l2 and 13. The ribbon-spools are designed torotate with the spool-shafts for the purpose of causing the feed of theinking-ribbon 1a in one direction or the other, as the carriage isadvanced in the direction of letter-spacing during the printingoperation.

Before proceeding with a detail description of that portion of theconstruction with which our present invention is directly concerned itmay be well, in order that a comprehensive understanding of theoperation of the printing mechanism may be had, to refer briefly to theillustrated construction of ribbon-feeding and feed-shifting mechanisminvented by John A. Smith, as heretofore stated. As shown moreparticularly in Fig. 13, said mechanism comprehends spool-pinions 15 and16, loosely mounted on the spool-shafts 10 and 11,

and arranged for connection with said shafts to rotate them by means ofratchet-wheels 17 and 18, fixed upon the shafts for engagement withspring-pressed pawls 19 and 20, carried by and movable with the pinions.Intermodiate of the pinions is disposed a shift-bar 21, carryingshift-pinions 22 and 23, constantly meshing with an operating-rack 24,mounted uponthemachine-frameindependentlyof the carriage: The shift-baris designed to be moved for the purpose'of bringing either of theshift-pinions into mesh with a spool-pin-- ion to eifect the rotation ofeither of the pinions, as it is desired to cause the feed of the ribbonin one direction or the other when the machine is moved in the directionof letterspacing. For the purpose of entirely releasdifferent col0rsas,for instance, in enteringing the ribbon-operating mechanism tostop thefeed ribbon-release mechanism is employed. This mechanism includes apair of beveled disks 25 and 26, shiftably mounted on the spool-shaftsand arranged to be urged toward the pinions for the purpose of liftingthe pawls 19 and 20 out of engagement with the ratchet-wheels, andthereby totally dis direction in order that the positive longitudinalfeed of the ribbon may be effected in one direction or the other,accordingly as one pinion or the other is geared to the operating-rack.Thus We see that the ribbon may be fed longitudinally in eitherdirection, as desired, or may be entirely released to stop the feedingthereof whenever the carriage is released from its escapement mechanismand is free to be shifted back and forth upon the machineframe. It is ofcourse understood that this longitudinal feed of the ribbon is designedto prevent the type from striking continuously thereon at the samepoint, and therefore as the ribbon is advanced a narrow stripe or trackthereof will be presented directly above the printing-point. It willtherefore be evident that in order to present difierent portions orstripes of the ribbon at the printingpoint, either for the purpose ofutilizing the entire area of the ribbon or for presenting stripes ofdifferent colors to the type, the ribbon must be shifted laterally, andthe present invention therefore comprehends novel means for supportingand guiding theribbon and for'shifting the same laterally, either todisplace the ribbon entirely from the printing-point or to presentthereto the differentcolored portions of the ribbon in order tofacilitate the use of the machine for printing in debit and credit itemsin commercial billing. -That portion of each of the spool-shaftsdisposed between the hangers is of angularcrosssectional contour, andthe angular portion of each shaft slidably supports the bearingthimbl'es29 and 30, the internal contours of which correspond to the externalcontour of the shaft. These bearing-thimbles are secured within theopposite ends of the hollow hub 31 of the ribbon-spool, and theiropposite ends project slightly beyond the heads 2 of thespool in orderto provide trunnions.

or journals for reception within annular bearing-rings 33, fprmed at theupper ends of the arms -34 of the ribbon frame supporting brackets 35.By reason of this mounting the spools are rotated with the spool-shafts,but are free to be s hifted longitudinally thereon forthepurpose ofdisplacingthe ribbon from the printingepoint or, for presenting anyoneof the several stripes or tracks of the ribbon to the types. The bearingtrunnion-s or studs of the spools rotate freely within the bearingrings33 of the ribbon -frame supporting brackets 35, and said brackets aresecured in any' suitable manner to the vertically-disposed end portions36 of the ribbon supporting and guiding frame 37. The ribbon-guidingframe is designed to lead the ribbon under the type-ringand extends fromone spool to the other, and it preferably comprises a pair ofright-angular sheet or plate metal end members 38, having downwardly andoutwardly disposed side flanges 39 and a more or less open intermediatemember or ribbon- (See Figs. 5 and 6.) The plate 40 v is secured at itsopposite ends, as by rivets plate 40.

or the like, to the contiguous extremities of the end members 38 and iscut out to form forwardly-extending parallel ribbon-guides.

41 and 42 and guiding-fingers 43 and 44. The ribbon-guides 41 and 42 aredisposed adjacent to but at opposite sides of the printing-point, andtheir contiguous side edges are turned down to form ribbon-depressingflanges. 45,

in unison when the latter is shifted laterally,

and in order to insure the proper longitudinal disposition of theguide-frame during the shifting thereof the horizontal portions of itsend members are provided with upstanding guide-studs 45, movable withinguide-loops Inasmuch as the arms of the frame- 46, securedto thetype-ring 5, adjacent to 4 the opposite ends of the frame.

Forthe purpose of making the specialutility of the present inventionperfectly apparent we have illustrated a black ribbon provided along itsrear longitudinal edge with a narrow stripe, band, or track of red,(indicated by the letter a.) This stripe or band is of a Width littlemore than that required for the impact of a single type; but the blackportion 1) of the ribbon is of such width as to comprehend a numberofsuch tracks-that is to say, the black band or stripe b is of such widththat each edge thereof and the middle portion, respectively, may beusedoas separate tracks, each being used as the. ribbon is fedlongitudinally and displaced by another when the ribbon-guiding frame isshifted laterally the desired distance, in a manner to be hereinaftermorefnlly described.

The mechanism for shifting the ribbon frame and spools laterallypreferably includes a ribbon-shift key 47, formed-at one end of theribbon-shift lever 48, secured to the inner end of a rock-shaft 40,having its extremity forked, as indicated at 50, for engagement with astud 51, projecting from one of the frame supporting brackets 35. Therockshaft 49 is supported in suitable bearings 52, pendent from thecarriage, and at its end opposite the lever 48 the shaft is providedwith an arm 53, the forked end of which engages a stud 54, extendingfrom the supportingbracket 35 at the adjacent end of the ribbonframe.Except when preventedby means to be described the ribbon-frame isdesigned to occupy an extreme forward position, which will present thenarrow red stripe a above the printing-point, and said frame istherefore urged forwardly by suitable reactive means-- as, for instance,a spring 55, coiled upon the rock-shaft 49 and having its opposite endsengaged by a set-collar 56, secured to the shaft, and a post 57, securedto the bottom of the carriage-casing. (See Fig. 6.) The upper end of theribbon-shift lever 48 is laterally oifset and is guided in its movementbya laterally-disposed slotted guide-flange 58, formed along the frontinclined edge of a bracketplate 59, screwed or otherwise secured to oneend of the carriage-casing, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 9. By referenceto Fig. 3 it will be noted that the ribbon=shift key 47 when depressedto the lower end of the guide-flange 58 will cause the ribbon and itsframe to be laterally shifted a suificient distance to entirely displacethe ribbon from the printingpoint, and as the front of the carriage isopen (see Fig. 1) this shifting of the ribbon will reveal the writingfor the inspection of the operator, and upon the release of the key 47the spring 55 will automatically return the ribbon to its initialposition. If, however, the return of the ribbon-shift lever 48 isprevented, it is evident that the complete return of the ribbon to itsinitial position will likewise be prevented, and as the narrow redstripe will not reach the printing-point it is evident that the blackstripe b of the ribbon will be presented to the printing-point instead.In other words, the precise portion of the ribbon which will bepresented to the printing-point is determinable by the extent of thereturn movement of the shift-lever 48, and by providingsuitableadjustable stop mechanism for arresting the return movement of the leverat different points any one of the several stripes or tracks of theribbon may be presented to the types without interfering with the properoperation of the ribbon feeding, shifting, or releasing mechanism. Aconvenient device for accomplishing this result comprehends theemployment of a swinging plate 60, pivoted upon the bracketplate 59 andhaving a laterally-disposed stop (51 located in rear of the lever 48 andcapable of being adjusted to arrest the return movement of the lever atthe several points corresponding to the impression tracks or stripes ofthe ribbon. The plate 60 is moved to its several positions and isretained by means of an upstanding spring-arm 62, passingupwardlythrough a slot 63 in what We shall term the ribbon-indicator flange 64,extending laterally from the upper edge of the plate 59. The outer sidewall of the slot 63 is formed with a series of stop-shoulders 65, which,together with the rear end of the slot, constitute means for retainingthe arm 62 in its several predetermined positions, it being observedthat the resiliency of the arm will cause it to spring into engagementwith the successive stop shoulders as the lever is moved forward by theoperator. Thus when the arm 62 is located at the rear end of the slot63, as indicated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the stop 61 will be in aposition to permit the complete retraction of the lever 48 and acomplete return of the ribbon to its extreme forward position, thuspresenting the rearmost stripe or impression-track of said ribbon at theprinting-point. If now the arm 62 is advanced to the next stop-shoulder,the stop. 61 upon the plate 60 will urge the lever 48 forward and willcause the ribbon to be shifted laterally to a sufficient extent to displace the real-most track or stripe from the printing-point and toreplace it by the next laterally-adjacent track, which in theillustrated form or ribbon will be the rear edge of the black band I),or if after using the black ribbon it is desired to make a credit entryin red ink the arm 62 may be pressed laterally to disengage it "from itsshoulder, and upon such release being effected the force exerted by thespring 55 will rock the shaft 49 and swing the lever 48 sufficiently tomove the ribbon-frame and the ribbon to their extreme forward positions.

It is very desirable to provide simple means located at the keyboard forindicating to the operator the precise position of the ribbon, andparticularly is this true where a ribbon bearingstripes of differentcolors is employed, because obviously it will be desirable to know whatcolor is presented to the printing-point and in what direction theribbon-shifting mechanism should be moved in order to present thedesired colorin position for presentation to the type. \Ve thereforeprovide what may be termed a ribbon-indicator for indicating theparticular portion of the ribbon presented at the printing-point in anygiven position of the arm 62. The preferable form of such indicator isshown in Fig. 9 of the drawings and comprises a series of side openings66, disposed opposite the several stop-shoulders 65 and Within which areexposed the various colors which will be presented at theprinting-point, according to the position of the arm 62. Thus the ribbonshown (see Fig. 5) is of a sufficient width to embody fourlaterally-opposed longitudinal impression tracks or stripes, the rearone of which is red. Therefore the indicator plate or flange 64 isprovided with fourstop-shoulders 65, one for each of the several impres-IIO sion tracks or stripes, and opposite these shoulders are exposed ared disk 67 and three black disks 68, said disks corresponding in numberand color to the several impression stripes or tracks of the ribbon. Itis evident, however, that these indications of the positions of theribbon and the color of its stripes may be varied that is to say,instead of employing color-symbols, as shown, the flange 64 might beprovided with a scale having significant indications of any desiredcharacter-as, for instance, the words Red, Black, &c. Instead, however,of effecting the lateral movement of the ribbon by the manipulationofthe arm 62 the operator may, if he so desires, depress theribbon-shift key 47, then adjust the arm 62 to present the stop 61 atthe proper point, and permit the shiftlever 48 to swing back against thestop. As heretofore stated, it is contemplated to shift the ribbonlaterally not only to present either ofits impression-tracks to theprinting-point, but also to entirely remove the ribbon from theprinting-point in order to reveal the Work, and in a further developmentthe presentinvention comprehends the employment of a line finder andindicator, which while normally retained at a point removed from theribbon will be automatically moved to the printing point, so that theoperator may readily position the machine at the proper pointto continuethe printing after the machine has for any reason been removed there-vfrom. For example, if themachine has been moved back. over the platenaway from the printing for the purpose of permitting an erasure to bemade the operator by depressing the ribbon-shift key'47 may remove theribbon and its frame from their normal positions over the printing-pointand at the same time automatically present the line-finder at theprinting-pointof the machinethat is to say, that point at which thetypes are presented when the letter-keys are depressed; With theline-finder in position the machine .is moved back over the platen untilthe finder indicates both the line and the point at which the next typeimpression is to be made. The key 47 is then released, the line-finderreturns to its inactive or normal position, and the ribbon-shift lever48 is arrested to present the proper impression-stripe ofthe-rib bon tothe type in accordance with the predetermined position of the stop 61.

It will. be noted that the stop (it is adjustable to di fierentpositions to arrest the return' movement of the ribbon-supporting meansat different points -and that said stop having once been adjusted topresent a given stripe of the ribbon normally at the printing-pointtheribbon may be shifted any number of times to expose the writing to viewwithout interfering- With the adjustment of the stop.

Thus having once adjusted the stop the operator is at liberty to shiftthe ribbon as often as may be desirable during the course of the work,and upon its return the proper stripe or indicator 69, secured at oneend toa rockshaft and located in a central depression 71, formed in atransverse frame-bar 72, extending between the front ends of thecrescent-shaped type-ring 5. The opposite side portions of thisdepression 71 constitute bearings for the rock-shaft 70, which latter isextended through a depending bearing-flange 73, formed at one end' ofthe bar 72, and is provided just beyond said fiange with anamarm 74.(See Fig. 10.) The line finder and indicator 69 is designed normally tooccupy a more or less elevated position, as shown in Fig. 10, so as toprevent it from interfering with the ribbon and to remove it out of thepath of the type-heads located at the outer ends of the type-arms, andin order to insure theretention of the line-finder in its normalposition the shaft 70 is provided with a return-spring 75, encirclingthe shaft and secured at its opposite ends to said shaft and to the bar72.

The depression of the line-finder 69 is effected by means of a slidingbar or plunger 76, having a curved nose 77 at its lower end hearing uponthe cam-arm 74E. The slide-bar 76 is provided with longitudinal slots 78for the reception of headed screws 79, screwedinto the side face of oneof the front hanger-rods 80 for the type-ring. Adjacent to the upper endof the bar 76 it is provided with a laterally-disposed pin 81, disposedin the path of an arm 82, extending laterally from the rock-shaft lfi.The arm 82 is not connected to the pin 81, but is spaced therefrom by asuitable interval to produce considerable lost motion of the rock-shaftwith respect to the actuation of the line-finderthat is to say, the arm82 does not contact with the pin 81 to operate the line finder until theribbonshift lever 48 has nearly reached the limit of its forwardmovement, and therefore when the ribbon is shifted laterally for thepurpose of presenting the difiereut impressionstripes thereof to theprinting-point the linefinder is not operated; but when the ribbon ismoved sufficiently to entirely displace it from the printing-point thelatter part of said movement will be accompanied by a simultaneousmovement of the line-finder, so

that the latter will be presented to the printing-point when the ribbonhas been entirely displaced. 'Ihus assuming the parts to be in thepositions shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the key 47 may be actuatedto presenteither of the four impression-stripes of the ribbon to the' ing said barby reason of its operative 'engagement with the cam-arm 74 to rock theshaft 70,and thereby depress the line-finder to the position shown indotted lines in Fig. 3.

For the purpose of preventing the ribbon or that portion thereof whichpasses under the ribbon-frame from coming in contact with thework-sheet, except at the printing-point, it is intended toetnploy-apair of ribbonguards 83 and 8t, detachably secured to the endmembers of the frame. These guards are in the form (see Fig. 7) ofplates or strips havingtheir outerends bent up, as indicated at 83, andprovided along their opposite sides with holding flanges or guides 86,bent inwardly, as shown in the drawings, to siidably engage the sideflanges 39 of the horizontal portions of the end members 38, saidlastnamed flanges being bent outwardly or in divergent; relation, asshown in Fig. 8. By reason of these interfitting flanges the guards maybe readily slid upon the end members of the frame, so as to disposetheir horizontal portions below the ribbon, (see Fig. 6,) and in orderto prevent the-accidental detachment of the guards their upturned endsare provided with spring engaging arms 87,which grip the opposite sidesof the vertical portions 36 of the ribbon-fra|ne when the guards havebeen slid to place.

It is thought that from the foregoing the construction, operation, andspecial utility of our invention will be apparent; but while the presentembodiment of said invention is thought at this time to be preferable wereserve the right to eifectsuch changes, modifications, and variationsof the illustrated structure as may be suggested by experience orexperiment and embraced within the scope of the protection prayed.

What we claim is- 1. In a type-writing machine, the combination with theframe and carriage, of ribbonsupporting means, a ribbon-shift keylocated at or adjacent to the keyboard and arranged to shift the ribbonlaterally, and an adjustable stop mounted independently of the key anddisposed to limit the return movement thereof.

2. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting' means, a ribbon-shift lever for shiftingthe ribbon laterally, an adjustable stop for limiting the movetnent ofthe shiftlever in one direction, and an indicator disposed adjacent tothe stop for indicating the position of the ribbon.

3. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting mechanism, a ribbon-shift lever connectedthereto and designed to shift the ribbon laterally, an adjustable stopmounted independently of the lever and disposed in the path of movementthereof, and an indicator having significant designations correspondingto the impression tracks or stripes of the ribbon.

4. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, a shift-lever arranged to move saidribbon laterally for the purpose of removing the ribbon from theprinting-point, and adjustable means for limiting the return movement ofthe lever, whereby any desired impression track or stripe of the ribbonwill be presented at the printing-point.

5. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, a ribbon shift lever mounted on thecarriage and arranged to move the ribbon-su pporting means laterally, aswinging stop disposed in the path of the lever, and means for adjustingthe stop to different 'positions corresponding to the impression tracksor stripes of the ribbon. 6. In a type-writing machine, the combinationwith the frame and carriage, of ribbon supporting means, a ribbon-shiftlever disposed to shift the ribbon laterally, a bracketplate providedwith guiding means for the lever, an adjustable stop carried by saidbracket-plate to limit the movement of the shift-lever, an arm foroperating said stop, and a ribbon-indicator disposed contiguous to saidarm.

7. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, a ribbon-shift key supported by thecarriage and disposed to shift the ribbon laterally, and an adjustablestop device mounted on the carriage independently of the shift-key anddisposed to limit the movement thereof in one direction.

8. In a type-writing machine, the combina tion with a frame andcarriage, of ribbon-supporting mechanism, a shift-key mounted on thecarriage and connected to the ribbon-supporting mechanism to shift theribbon laterally, a bracket-plate secured to the carriage and havingguiding means for the shift-key, a swinging arm mounted on said plateindependently of the key and provided with a stop for limiting themovement of the key in one direction, and a flange extending from theplate and provided with spaced retaining devices for the swinging arm,and with a ribbon-indicator the characters of which are located oppositethe several retaining devices for the arms.

9. In a type-writing machine, the combina tion with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, a reactive device for moving theribbon laterally in one direction, a shift-key for moving the ribbonlaterally in the opposite direction in opposition to said reactivedevice, and adjustable means for limiting the return movement of theshift-key.

10. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, a reactive device for urging theribbon laterally in one direction, a shift-key for urging the ribbonlaterally in the opposite direction in opposition to said vice forurging the frame in one direction, a-

shift-key for urging the frame in the opposite direction in oppositionto said reactive device, and adjustable means for limiting the returnmovement of the shift-key.

12. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of a laterally-movableribbon-guidingframe, ribbonspoolsmovable with said frame, spring-operated means for urging the frameconstantly in one direction to present the ribbon at the printing-point,a shift-key for urging the frame laterally in the opposite direction todisplace the ribbon from the printing-point, and an adjustable stop forlimiting the return movement of the shift-key to present any desiredimpression track or stripe of the ribbon atthe printing-point.

13. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of a laterallymovable ribbon -guiding frame sup-. ported bythe carriage, ribbon-spools movable with said ribbon -guiding frame, aspringurged rock-shaft connected to the ribbonguiding frame, and ashift-key mounted upon the carriage for movement therewith and0peratively connected to the shaft to rock the same.

14. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of a laterally movable ribbon guiding frame, a spring-urgedrock-shaft connected to the opposite ends of said frame, a shift-keyconnected to the rock-shaft to operate the same, and an adjustable stopdisposed in the path of the shift-key to limit the return movementthereof.

15. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, ribbon -shiftingmechanism formoving the ribbon laterally, and a movable line finder, said ribbonshifting mechanism being operatively related to the line-finder.

16. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting mechanism, a shift-key for moving theribbon laterally, and aline-finder shift= able toward and away fromthe'printing-point and operatively related to the shift-key.

17. In a type-Writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting mechanism, a line-finder, and operatingmeans common to the ribbon and linefinder for presenting them to theprintingpoint alternately.

18. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsnpporting means, a line-finder movable toward andfrom the printing-point, means for shifting the ribbon laterallyindependently of the line-finder, to present any of the impres sionstripes or tracks of the ribbon to the printing-point, and means forautomatically shifting the line-finder toward the printingpoint wheneverthe ribbon is entirely displaced therefrom.

19. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of a laterally-movable ribbon-guiding frame, ribbonspoolsmovable therewith, a shift-key for moving the ribbon-frame laterally, aline-finder shiftable toward and from the printing-point, a rockshaftsupporting the line-finder, and connections between the shift-key andsaid rock-shaft. I

20. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of a laterally-movable ribbon-guiding frame, ribbonspoolsmovable therewith, a line-finder movable toward and from theprinting-point, a ribbon-shift key for moving the ribbon-guiding framelaterally, an arm operated by said key, and connections for operativelyconnecting said arm with the line-finder'to operate the same during thefinal movement only of the shift-key in one direction.

21. In a type-writing machine, the combi nation with the frame andcarriage, of a laterally-movable ribbon-guiding frame, ribbonspoolsmovable with said frame, a line-finder movable toward and from theprinting-point, a rock-shaft connected to the line-finder to operate thesame, a slide-bar operatively related. to the rock-shaft, a shift-keyfor moving the ribbon-guiding frame, and an arm opribbon inclosely-adjacentrelation to the, platen at the printing-point.

24. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of a ribbon-guiding frame, ribbon-spools located at theopposite ends of the ribbon-guiding frame,

and ribbon-guards (letachably secured to said tact of the ribbon withthe work-sheet except at the printing-point.

27. The combination with the ribbon-guiding frame of a type-writingmachine, of a ribbon-guard provided with flanges engaging the oppositeedges of said frame.

28. The combination with the ribbon-guiding frame of a type-writingmachine, of detachable ribbon-guards provided with flanges, andgrippingarms engaging the opposite edges of the frame.

29. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting mechanism designed to support a ribbonhaving longitudinal impression tracks or stripes of different colors,and a ribbonindicator having colored characters corresponding in numberand color to the impression-stripes on the ribbon.

30. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame andcarriage, a ribbon having impression stripes or tracks of diiferentcolors, ribbon-supporting mechanism, and means for shifting the ribbonlaterally, of a ribbon-indicator mounted on the carriage and disposed insignificant relation to the ribbonshifting means to indicate theimpression stripe or track presented at the printingpoint, saidribbon-indicator being provided with characters corresponding in colorand number to the impression-stripes of the ribbon.

31. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of, ribbonsupporting means, a line-finder movable toward andfrom the printing-point, means for shifting the ribbon laterallyindependent of the line-finder, and means for automatically shifting theline-finder toward the printingpoint whenever the ribbon is entirelydisplaced therefrom.

32. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, means for shifting theribbon-supporting means laterally, and adjustable means for arrestingsaid ribbon-supporting means upon its return, the adjustment of thearresting means being unaffected by the shifting of the ribbon.

33. In a type-Writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, means for shifting the ribbonlaterally, and adjustable means for arresting the ribbon upon itsreturn, the adjustment of the arresting means beingunaffected by theshifting of the ribbon.

34. In a type-Writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, means for shifting theribbon-supporting means laterally, and an adjustable stop for arrestingthe return movement of the ribbon-supporting means, saidribbon-supportingmeanspermittiug the shifting of the ribbon Withoutinterfering with the adjustment of the stop.

35. In a type-Writing machine, the combination with a frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, means for shifting the ribbonlaterally, means for returning the ribbon, and adjustable means forarresting the ribbon in different positions with respect to theprinting-point, said shifting means permitting the ribbon to be shiftedwithout interfering with the adjustment of the arresting means.

36. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, means for shifting the ribbon awayfrom the printing-point, reactive means for returning the ribbon, and anadjustable stop device for limiting said return movement, said shiftingmeans permitting the shifting of the ribbon without interfering with theadjustment of the stop device.

37. In a type-writing machine, the combi nation with a frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, a ribbon-shift key located at oradjacent to the keyboard and arranged to shift the ribbon laterally,reactive means for returning the ribbon, and an adjustable stop disposedto limit the return movement of the ribbon-supporting means, the key andstop being so related that the adjustment of the stop will not bedisturbed by the movement of the key.

38. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of a ribbon-supporting frame mounted on the carriage, a leverpivotally mounted intermediate of its ends upon the carriage, said leverhaving connection at one end with the" ribbonsupporting frame andprovided at its opposite end with a shift-key, and an adjustable stopdevice mounted on the carriage and disposed in the path of said lever.

39. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting mechanism, means for moving theribbon-supporting mechanism laterally, and a line-finder separate fromthe ribbon-supporting mechanism and operatively related to theribbon-moving means to be shifted thereby toward and away from theprintingpoint.

40. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting mechanism, a line-finder separate from theribbon-supporting mechanism, and operating means common to theribbon-supporting mechanism and line-finder for presenting them to theprinting-point alternately.

41. In a type-writing machine, the combination With the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting mechanism, a shift-key for moving theribbon-supporting mechanism laterally, and a line-finder mountedindependently of the ribbon-supporting mechanism and shiftable towardand away from the printing-point, said line-finder being operativelyrelated to the shift-key.

42. In a type-writingrmachine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, a device for shifting theribbon-supporting means laterally, means for returning the ribbonsupporting means, and an adjustable stop for arresting theribbonsupporting means in various positions upon its return, theshifting device and the adjustable stop being so related that the adjustment of the stop will not be interfered with by the movement of thedevice.

43. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, a ribbon-shift key located at oradjacent to the keyboard and arranged to shift the ribbon laterally, andan adjustable stop disposed to limit the return movement of theribbon-supporting means, the

- shift-key and stop being so related that the adjustment of the stopwill not be disturbed by the movement of the key.

44. In a type-writing machine of the downwardly-striking type, thecombination with a frame and carriage, of ribbon-spool shafts supportedat the opposite ends of the carriage, a type-bar support pendent fromthe carriage, a ribbon supporting and guiding frame pendent from theshafts and extended under the type-bar support,and ribbon-spools mountedon the shafts and engaging the 0pposite ends of the ribbon supportingand guiding frame, whereby the spools and frame may be shifted laterallyin unison, said frame having an opening at the printing-point and meansfor depressing that portion of the ribbon located opposite the opening.

45. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame andcarriage, of spoolshafts, spools mounted on the shafts, and a ribbonsupporting and guiding frame having its opposite ends carried by theshafts, said last-named frame having an opening at'the printing-point,and a plurality of parallel guiding-fingers located adjacent to eachside of the opening and extending in the same direction to permit thethreading of the ribbon over and under said fingers by the edgewisemovement of said ribbon, substantially as and for the purpose described.

46. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame andcarriage, of ribbonspool shafts, ribbon-spools, and a ribbon sup portingand guiding frame extending between the shafts, said last-named framecomprising angular end portions supported from the shafts, and anintermediate ribbon-plate having an opening and a plurality offorwardlyextending ribbon-guidin g fingers at each side of the opening,between which fingers the ribbon may be slipped edgewise from the frontof the frame.

47. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame andcarriage, of ribbonspool shafts, ribbon-spools, and a ribbon sup portingand guiding frame extending between the shafts, said last-named framecomprising angular end portions supported from the shafts, and anintermediate ribbon-plate hav ing a plurality of forwardly-extendingribbon-guiding fingers, between which the ribbon may be slippedlaterally from the front of the frame, the guidingfingers immediatelyadjacent to the printing-point being formed with ribbon-depressingflanges. I

48. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame andcarriage, of spoolshafts and spools, a type-bar-supporting ring providedwith guide-loops, a ribbon supporting and guiding frame extendingbetween the spools and under thetype-bar-supporting ring, and studsextending from said frame and engaging the guide-loops.

49. In'a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, a line-finder movable toward andfrom the printing-point, means for shifting the ribbon laterallyindependently of the line-finder, and means for shifting the line-findertoward the printing-point when the ribbon is displaced therefrom.

50. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame andcarriage, of ribbonsupporting means, a line-finder movable toward andfrom the printing-point, means for shifting the ribbon laterallyindependently of the line-finder, and means for automatically shiftingthe line-finder toward the printing-point after predeterminedindependent movement of the ribbon.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have heretoaffixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES FREDERICK LAGANKE. JOHN A. SMITH.

